|
 Celiac
Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Wednesday, May 19, 2004
For more articles like this
visit
http://www.bridges4kids.org.
Celiac disease,
also referred to as gluten sensitive enteropathy, gluten
intolerance or celiac sprue, is hereditary. The digestive
disease, triggered by wheat, rye and barley, damages the
intestines and interferes with nutrient absorption.
When those with celiac disease eat foods that contain gluten,
their immune system responds by destroying tiny fingerlike
protrusions called villi that line the small intestine and
absorb nutrients from food into the bloodstream. Without villi,
no matter how much food a person eats, malnutrition occurs.
One in every 133 Americans has celiac disease, according to a
multicenter study published in the February 2003 issue of the
Archives of Internal Medicine. Only about one out of every 4,700
Americans has been diagnosed. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight
loss, bloating, gas, joint or bone pain, anemia, muscle cramps,
painful skin rash and fatigue are among symptoms of celiac
disease, yet many who have it exhibit no symptoms.
"Undetected, untreated celiac disease is a recipe for trouble,"
according to Dr. Stefano Guandalini, professor of pediatrics and
director of the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, like Type-1 diabetes or
rheumatoid arthritis. According to Guandalini, many scientists
suspect that celiac disease may set the stage for other
autoimmune disorders. Research shows that those who are
diagnosed late or continue to eat gluten have a higher
prevalence of autoimmune diseases.
Related Article:
Celiac: Is Wheat Making You Sick? Millions of People Suffer in
Silence - A very common disease is starting to get some
much-needed attention -- celiac disease, also known as
wheat-gluten intolerance, which is a digestive disorder.
Millions of people have it, but don't know it, in part because
they are reluctant to talk about certain health issues -- bowel
functions ranking near the top.
To locate
nearby CSA support groups, go to
www.csaceliacs.org and
search by location.
For the nearest support group contacts and events of the Gluten
Intolerance Group, go to
www.gluten.net, and for Raising Our Celiac Kids, go to
www.glutenfreedom.net/rock.aspx.
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